Wales has one of the most fascinating geological histories in the world.
Set in Stone
The rocks along the Broadwalk are packed full of clues about this Welsh history. Look closely and you’ll discover evidence of volcanic islands, the extinction of animals, dramatic changes of climate and the emergence and drowning of continents.
Along the way you’ll pass through over 300 million years of Welsh history.
Life on Stone
You’ll also discover how geology has had a huge effect on the plant life of Wales. Over 75 species of lichen have colonised these rocks. Along with mosses, weather and water, lichens help to break up rocks and turn them into soil.
Wales Rocks
Wales has played a major part in furthering the world’s knowledge of geology. One of the founders of modern geology, Adam Sedgewick, named the Cambrian geological period after studying rocks from Wales, whilst the Ordovician and Silurian time periods are named after ancient Welsh tribes.
Geology has also brought great prosperity to Wales – the land’s gold, copper, coal, slate, sandstone and limestone have all been quarried and mined on a large scale.
Alongside the Rock of Ages geological display is Bluestone Healing Circle by Darren Yeadon, crafted from the same Preseli bluestone rock as the inner circle of Stonehenge in Wiltshire.